Competitor at the SPMK World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Powys
When: 17th August – 2nd September 2012
Where: Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
£:
What is it?
The Welsh alternative to the London 2012 Olympic games is here as Llanwrtyd Wells hosts the World Alternative Games. The games are a collection of some of the most wacky games imaginable. Even the opening ceremony will offer something different in the form of a chariot ride. Here are some of the unusual events featuring in the games:
Bale Tossing: Using a pitchfork competitors aim to pitch hay-bales over a bar set at a certain height. Bale tossing is traditionally played at Scottish Highland games.
Barrel Rolling: Competitors must push a firkin of beer around a loop course. Fancy dress is very much encouraged.
Bathtubbing Championships: Various bathtub races will take place and there will even be Synchronised Bathtubbing, surely the trickiest of challenges with two people in a bathtub who face one another; one must paddle backwards as the other paddles forwards.
Bog Snorkelling: This crazy activity was born in Llanwrtyd Wells in 1986. Competitors don a mask or goggles, snorkel & flippers and snorkel two lengths of a specially dug out trench, in a peat bog. Fancy dress is optional!
Conker Championships: This event first took place in Northamptonshire in 1965 and is something you may have played as a child. For those who don’t know, the aim is to smash the opponent’s conker.
Corinthian Backward Race: Organised by Wacky Nation this is a fun and silly race suitable for all ages and abilities.
Egg Throwing: A game of throw and catch with a difference as competitors aim to chuck a raw egg to their partner without breakage!
Gravy Wrestling: Yes this is exactly how it sounds! Contestants must wrestle in bouts of two minutes in gravy.
Man Vs Horse Marathon: An annual event since 1980, where competitors on foot aim to beat those on horseback.
Office Chair Slalom: Racing on office chairs, competitors use their feet to propel themselves over a set course.
Pea Shooting: Entrants must shoot five dried peas towards a target twelve feet away with only their lungs for power.
Penny Farthing Race: Just as you might suspect, competitors will be racing on Penny Farthing bicycles. If you enjoy this event there are 10 of these bicycles on display at the National Cycle Collection in Llandrindod Wells.
Pooh Sticks Championships: Another activity you may have played as a child whereby you drop sticks into a stream from a bridge, first stick to appear on the other side wins.
Rock Paper Scissors Championships: The idea of the game is for two people to go head to head playing rock, paper, scissors.
Stiletto Racing: A 60 yard race in high heels, open to both women and men!
Stone Skimming: Stone skimming is one of the more intricate events of the Alternative Games in which skill and the perfect stone are required in order to achieve the most skims.
Welsh Crempog Race: A race featuring Welsh pancakes which are slightly thicker than your average crepe.
Wheelbarrow Racing: Starting with an empty wheelbarrow, items are loaded into it before returning to the starting point.
Wife Carrying: Wife carrying originated in Finland and the prize for the fastest couple is the wife’s weight in beer! Couples need not be married and same-sex couples are allowed.
Woolsack Carrying Championships: A race of strength and fitness carrying a sack full of wool. A race that has been run annually in Tetbury for decades.
Worm Charming Championships: Worm Charming was first devised by Mr John Bailey who was the deputy headmaster of Willaston County Primary School near Nantwich in Cheshire. The winner will be the one who collects the most worms from a 3m square patch of grass.
More info: www.worldalternativegames.co.uk